Objective: To determine the frequency with which patients report incon
tinence of flatus or stool after rupture of the anal sphincter during
delivery. Methods: A chart review and telephone interview were conduct
ed with 70 primiparas, 35 of whom had rupture of the anal sphincter at
delivery and 35 of whom did not. All were contacted 9-12 months postp
artum and questioned about the development of incontinence of gas or l
iquid or formed stool, persistent dyspareunia, and perineal pain. Resu
lts: Incontinence of gas was reported by six women (17%) in the ruptur
e group and one (3%) in the control group (P < .05). The incidences of
incontinence of stool, both liquid and solid, dyspareunia, and persis
tent perineal pain were similar between the groups. Conclusion: Incont
inence of flatus was reported six times more often by women who experi
enced a third- or fourth-degree perineal laceration than by those with
out anal sphincter rupture.